Yea I agree, that wingspan hasn't really helped him much on D. But I think the real mistake is Casey being so dead set to use him as a stretch 4. I really think Austin Daye plays better at the 3. His wingspan can really help him there. Since he doesn't have the greatest foot speed he can give guys more room than the average player and his wingspan will help him still be able to contest shots. Novak is a stretch 4 but Daye is more of a 3. I wish Casey would see that. Because at the 4 whatever he gives you on the offensive end gets taken away by how much of a struggle it is for him defensively. It's almost like Bargnani but he's much more efficient.

I do agree he'd have a chance to be more effective at the 3. I think it's tough to actually play him there though. Fields is still a pretty good fit there as a reserve, and Gay will take up a fair chunk of the minutes there. I haven't seen Daye enough at the 3 though to think that he'd for sure be that much better. If he's not too quick, maybe he'd still pick up fouls trying to reach in. He's still so damn skinny, so maybe even most 3s can and do try to body him up. I feel like it's definitely something Casey should have tried out more in the preseason. Daye's a good 25 lbs. from being able to play the 4, at least.

I do agree he'd have a chance to be more effective at the 3. I think it's tough to actually play him there though. Fields is still a pretty good fit there as a reserve, and Gay will take up a fair chunk of the minutes there. I haven't seen Daye enough at the 3 though to think that he'd for sure be that much better. If he's not too quick, maybe he'd still pick up fouls trying to reach in. He's still so damn skinny, so maybe even most 3s can and do try to body him up. I feel like it's definitely something Casey should have tried out more in the preseason. Daye's a good 25 lbs. from being able to play the 4, at least.

This is true. He probably would get a few more minutes playing the 4 and he probably would reach a lot and pick up cheap fouls. I just feel it won't be AS bad for him defensively, but it still won't be great. I like Fields so I definitely want him to be the main back up 3. I guess stretch 4 it is for Austin Daye. I'm just glad he's actually proving to be a great shooter. Not just good but great. Yes it's preseason and those numbers will drop but I doubt they drop to any drastic level. We need as much shooting on this team as we can get because only Rudy, Augustin, and Kyle (somewhat) have proven to be decent three point shooters other than Daye and Novak. And they won't be getting many minutes because of their defensive flaws.

This is true. He probably would get a few more minutes playing the 4 and he probably would reach a lot and pick up cheap fouls. I just feel it won't be AS bad for him defensively, but it still won't be great. I like Fields so I definitely want him to be the main back up 3. I guess stretch 4 it is for Austin Daye. I'm just glad he's actually proving to be a great shooter. Not just good but great. Yes it's preseason and those numbers will drop but I doubt they drop to any drastic level. We need as much shooting on this team as we can get because only Rudy, Augustin, and Kyle (somewhat) have proven to be decent three point shooters other than Daye and Novak. And they won't be getting many minutes because of their defensive flaws.

True, but Lowry needs to be more open. He is short and doesn't have much rise on his shot. Gay can at least elevate and shoot over the D.

It will be hard for Lowry to get many open looks unless, A) we can get a double-team in the post - DD, JV, Gay, or B) Gay/DD become better passers out of their drives for drive and kick opportunities or C) Lowry shoots from another 2 steps back - which he has done fairly often in the past

True, but Lowry needs to be more open. He is short and doesn't have much rise on his shot. Gay can at least elevate and shoot over the D.

It will be hard for Lowry to get many open looks unless, A) we can get a double-team in the post - DD, JV, Gay, or B) Gay/DD become better passers out of their drives for drive and kick opportunities or C) Lowry shoots from another 2 steps back - which he has done fairly often in the past

Most of his 3s will come from open look. Playing with this starting line up.

I'd hope by the end of the year both JV and DD will force doubles from some teams. DD was impressive during preseason at scoring from the block (though he was schooling a lot of rookies). JV hopefully shows more polish and finishing strength as the season goes on.

I'd hope by the end of the year both JV and DD will force doubles from some teams. DD was impressive during preseason at scoring from the block (though he was schooling a lot of rookies). JV hopefully shows more polish and finishing strength as the season goes on.

We said the same thing about DD last preseason too.

JV isn't likely to get a lot of touches in a post scoring position. I would be shocked if he had many kick-outs resulting in 3's. More likely he'll A) try to power through the D, B) turn the ball over, C) pass to a nearby cutter, D) try to pass cross block to Amir/Tyler

I've been wondering this. I know Rudy Gay is nowhere near the level of NBA player/superstar that Vince Carter was back in 2004. But if MU was able to get a similar package to what Babcock got for Vinsanity, it would be thought of as a fucking triumph right?

You could cut that trade package in half and I think it would still be thought of, overall, as a favourable deal (the deadset anti-tankers may not agree). Sub in other cheap scrubs for the Williams bros and an expiring contract for Zo.

I know the cap situation is way different, that Vince put T. on the map and that teams value 1st rounders way more these days, but it's still pretty interesting. To me anyway.

As I mentioned, neither Gay or DD are particularly good at finding teammates once they start their drives.

We have no post presence that will likely commend a double team, unless you expects doubles for DD and Gay on the block.

Watching last night's game, Boston would double-team/send help defense as soon as DeMar would turn his back on the defender. So... That answers that, I think. If a team full of defensive perimeter players (Bradley, Wallace, Lee) would be throwing doubles at him, I'm be certain he'll see more in the near future.